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Windows 7: Cant delete file and folder , even with cmd

Power Tool - it shows extensions and any hidden or super hidden files so the mystery file appears not to have an extension! I see some strange characters after the detected file name but they make no sense to me.

Thanks, now I know that Power tool shows the extension in the Filename column.

You can type the characters by using the alt key and the numeric representation (using the numeric keypad) of the character: Alt0128 = €
Note: You might have to toggle the numlock key

It's usually never a good sign that a file gets created with non-standard characters.

I've offered a few ways to get rid of the file, but a more complete solution is to determine why the file was created and how. That's a pretty tall order given that we don't know what's on the F: drive or what it is used for (data, dual boot, programs ???). So the best thing to do is check the system for malware and if the utilities don't clean up the file, then use brute force and hope that nothing is lurking.

So far, Mbam and AdwCleaner came back clean - we'll see if TFC or JRT help, then try ESET online scanner (Panda and herdProtect are also good tools to use). Farbar FRST is also very good, but I don't have the experience to build the cleanup script ... so I use it to scan only and then ask for help if anything is detected.

It's up to Nick to decide how he wants to proceed. We can only guide a member based on our experience and the feedback we receive. You're doing great Nick, we'll be here when you're back at the machine.

Mint Mate is 1.3 GB, so you need a thumb drive with at least 2 GB. Creating a bootable thumb drive erases all data on the thumb drive. If you have data on the thumb drive that you need, move it to your Hard Drive or burn it to an Optical Disc.

The fields in Rufus are filled in with defaults. The defaults work well, but a few things need to be verified or changed.

Verify that Rufus selected the thumb drive you want to write. Change the Device if the wrong USB thumb drive is presented in that field.

Change Create a bootable disk using from the default to ISO image

Select Linux Mint Mate ISO as the source. The file should appear on the status bar

unTick Create extended label and icon files

Compare your Rufus window with the image above. If everything other than the Device field are the same, then continue to the next step. Note that the ISO name in the status bar is subject to change as new versions are released

Press the Start button

The status bar notifies you when the process is Done

Press the Close button

Leave the Linux Mint Mate thumb drive connected for the next steps

4. Boot to Linux Mint Mate

Save any files you are working on, then Restart your machine
Check your machine documentation to determine the key that brings up the Boot Order startup menu. This example is from an HP laptop that assigns it to the F9 key.
When the machine begins to start again (black screen) tap the F9 key to bring up the Boot Order startup menu. There is only a short time to "catch" the Boot Order menu. If Windows starts, you will have to try again.

Whichever boot you decide on, there is probably still a permissions issue - you'll need to change the attributes / permissions before you try to delete the file.
Even if you get the file removed, you still need to determine where it came from ... is it malicious? I believe it is, but Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner came back clean.

I would try the following before resorting to the boot option above, but it's your choice.

There are a few other utilities you might want to try

Warning

Before running any repair utility:

Save any open files

Close ALL applications

Disconnect from the Internet unless the application requires a connection

If the application prompts you to restart your system - restart your system.

does not require a connection, please disconnect after the download has completed.

1. Click on the Save button on the Do you want to run or save ... action bar to save the package in your Downloads folder.

For example: C:\Users\Dad\Downloads

2. Click the Open folder button when the ... download has completed action bar is presented
Right click TFC (it should be highlighted) and select run as administrator
--> Answer Yes to the UAC dialog window

Save your work and close all open windows.
TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!

3. Click the Start button to begin the cleaning up temporary files and folders. Do not work on other things while TFC is running - most applications use some sort of temporary files. Just let TFC run by itself on the machine until it completes.

If TFC prompts you to reboot, do so immediately. If TFC does NOT prompt you, then reboot your machine immediately after TFC has completed.

The tool is designed to remove all traces of these types of programs which includes services, registry values, registry keys, files, and folders. The tool will also restore some default settings for Internet Explorer and Mozilla FireFox. Google Chrome is not supported (perhaps in future).

The tool is non-interactive so the user can simply open it by double-clicking and wait for the log report (JRT.txt) to open when the tool is finished.

A copy of the log is saved to the user's desktop incase you want the user to attach the log.

Note

This utility

is a standalone application, there is no install.

does not require a connection, please disconnect after the download has completed.

1. Click on the Save button on the Do you want to run or save ... action bar to save the package in your Downloads folder.

For example: C:\Users\Dad\Downloads

2. Click the Run button when the ... download has completed action bar is presented
--> Answer Yes to the UAC dialog window

3. JRT opens a Command Prompt widow which displays some operational information. Read the screen and press any key when you're ready to continue.

4. The scanner initializes and runs. When JRT finishes, it reports the status of the scan in the Command Window and presents the log in your default text editor.
-> Save the log as JRT_SFProfileName.txt
For example: JRT_Slartybart.txt

RESTART your machine after running JRT

5.Attach the log file to a new post on your thread.

Attach the JRT log

Hi, im back. Never thought of using linux usb boot, i hv bootable ubuuto usb.
Now the file is gone.

Yeh, that system file , not sure if it's malware, virus.. or adware? Scanned with mbam and adwcleaner. Both come out clean. Well lucky for bootable usb.., even tho im not sure what that is, as long as i hv deleted that suspicious looking file, hope everything is ok now. All i need to do now is run a full scan on my computer. Atm im using mbam and mcfee(free).

Again Thanks A lot guys for the help. As for Slartybart, sry i didnt get to try TFC / JRT, i saw those after i ran ubuutu. Haha.

It would be a good idea to run TFC & JRT (see post# 16), followed by a scan with ESET online scanner.ESET Online scanner
This scanner requires Internet Explorer.
The scanner runs in a pop-up window - if you close the window, you close the scanner.

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